press release: Swimming Teachers' Association (STA)
Live Borders becomes new STA approved training centre and among first in Scotland to deliver Level 7 Swimming Teacher Qualification
Live Borders has become a new STA Approved Training Centre (ATC) for aquatics and is among the first organisations in Scotland to begin delivering STA’s newly accredited Swimming Teacher Qualification at SCQF Level 7.
Managing six swimming pools and leisure facilities across the Scottish Borders, Live Borders will now be able to deliver STA aquatic qualifications in-house - creating greater flexibility to recruit, train and develop swimming teachers locally, while supporting the continued growth of learn to swim provision across its communities.
The development follows confirmation that STA’s new Swimming Teacher Qualification (STQ) has officially been accredited at Level 7 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), reinforcing the qualification as a professionally recognised and high-quality route into swimming teaching in Scotland.
As part of the transition, Karen Steel, a Scottish Swimming tutor at Live Borders, has successfully completed Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to become an STA Aquatic Tutor - enabling her to deliver the new qualification directly within the organisation.
Karen said: “Completing the swimming teacher course has been a fantastic experience and I absolutely loved it. The resources were incredibly supportive throughout, and the way STA has developed it, there was significantly more valuable teaching time built into the programme.
“I’m also incredibly proud to be among the first local authority tutors in Scotland to deliver the new accredited qualification.”
By becoming an STA Approved Training Centre, Live Borders gains greater control over workforce planning and qualification delivery, enabling training to be scheduled around operational needs and local demand.
The ATC model also supports internal progression pathways for existing staff, helping operators build and retain talent within their own organisations while reducing reliance on external course availability.
Zoe Cooper, commercial director at STA, said: “We are delighted to welcome Live Borders as a new STA Approved Training Centre and to support Karen in becoming one of the first tutors delivering the new STA Swimming Teacher Qualification at SCQF Level 7 in Scotland.
“The qualification accreditation provides strong recognition of the depth, quality and professional standards built into the programme, while the practical delivery model helps ensure learners gain the confidence and competence needed to teach effectively in real-world environments.
“As an educational charity committed to preserving human life through swimming and lifesaving education, supporting operators to develop sustainable local training pathways is incredibly important to us. The ATC model gives organisations the flexibility to grow and strengthen their workforce internally, while maintaining high standards of training and learner support.”
STA’s Swimming Teacher Qualification was developed to support the next generation of swimming teachers, with a strong emphasis on practical teaching experience, inclusive delivery and learner support - helping ensure learners are pool-ready and confident to transition into real teaching environments from day one. The qualification is also supported by 12 months STA membership and access to ongoing CPD opportunities, helping teachers continue developing their knowledge and skills beyond their initial qualification.
The Level 7 qualification began rolling out across Scotland from April 2026 through STA’s network of Approved Training Centres.
For more information about STA Approved Training Centres and STA’s aquatics qualifications, visit: www.sta.co.uk
Zoe Cooper, commercial director
Kayle Brightwell, director of education
Brett Preston, director of digital services
Stuart Tanfield, finance director
Its qualifications and memberships support individual swimming teachers, schools and organisations delivering aquatic programmes.
There will be a continued focus on expanding CPD provision with specialist partners, enhancing digital learning and improving accessibility to training.
STA will also progress charity initiatives to support recruitment within the aquatic workforce, including bursary programmes and outreach activity, while strengthening its work in inclusion, disability swimming and community engagement.
– Andrew Clark, national sport & aquatics manager, GLL
– Stuart Dickinson, quality development and apprenticeship manager, Virgin Active
– Kelly Gaffney, head of people and culture, swim@
